As part of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), MSU has a resident UIA Fellow who represents the university in a consortium of fellows from 18 institutions. Together they identify projects and opportunities to advance UIA’s goal of increasing graduation rates for students of color, first-generation students and low-income students. UIA Fellows are rising mid-level professionals who serve in the position for one to three years, fostering a dynamic relationship between those just starting and those finishing their fellowship who guide and mentor the others. Fellows bring their group concepts back to their colleges and work to apply them there, then take what they learn back to the other fellows, creating a network of support.

The currently serving UIA Fellow at Michigan State University is Maria O'Connell, MSW. Originally from Ecuador, Maria earned her master’s in social work from MSU and returns to Michigan after serving as a clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs. She brings with her a passion for supporting student success that stretches back to her own experiences as an undergraduate.

MSU’s rich history of UIA fellows include Chastity D. Gaither, PhD; Renata Opoczynski, Ph.D., assistant provost for Undergraduate Student Success; and Amy Martin, Ph.D., assistant dean for Student Success Strategy.